SWANSEA CITY hot-shot Lee Trundle is to be recommended to the Republic of Ireland.

The Western Mail can reveal what few people in Swansea or Welsh football as a whole will be aware of - that 26-year-old Trundle qualifies for the Republic through his Irish grandfather.

In explosive form for the Swans, Trundle tops the Third Division goal-scoring charts after taking his tally to eight in seven games with another dou- ble strike in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Scunthorpe.

And Swans boss Brian Flynn, who took Trundle to the Vetch from his old club Wrexham in the summer, has promised to bring the Liverpudlian to the attention of Brian Kerr.

The Ireland manager alrea- dy has reason for coming to South Wales with Graham Kav- anagh, Alan Lee, Willie Boland and Gareth Whalley just down the road at Cardiff City's Ninian Park.

"I was hoping that Lee might have a bit of Welsh in him, but sadly that's not the case!" smiled Flynn.

"He tells me that he's eligible to play for the Republic and I'll be speaking to Brian Kerr to advise him of that.

"It's then up to Brian to de- cide whether he wants to come and have a look at Lee or send someone to watch him."

Flynn, who introduced Trundle to professional football by taking him from Welsh Premier outfit Rhyl to Wrexham in 2001, went on, "I don't think it matters that he's playing Third Division football.

"The important thing is he's playing well and scoring lots of goals.

"Lee would certainly offer Ireland something a little bit different.

"He's been a constant headache to defenders this season and he will continue to score goals as long as he gets the service."

Were he to make the big international breakthrough, Trundle would not be the first Scouser to represent the Republic.

Former Newport County striker John Aldridge, who won 69 caps in 11 years between 1986 and 1997, and Sunderland's Jason McAteer are two of the most famous Merseysiders to pull on the green shirt of Ireland.

And Trundle, already a firm favourite among the Vetch fai- th ful with his distinctive Mohican haircut and white boots, is desperately hoping for the chance to follow in their footsteps.

"My grandad is Irish, I've got a lot of Irish connections and so I've always wanted to play for Ireland," said the left- footed striker.

"I'm having a fantastic time at Swansea and I'd be thrilled if someone from the Republic did come to watch me.

"A League of Ireland player was called into the squad for a friendly recently so there's definitely hope for me.

"I think Division Three is a better standard and it's not as if the Republic are blessed with too many strikers at the moment.

"As the gaffer (Flynn) has said to me, I might not get the chance so I don't want to get my hopes up too much.

"But I wanted the Ireland manager to at least be aware that I'm eligible to play for them. Who knows what might happen. If I keep playing well and scoring goals for Swansea, there's always a chance someone will be watching."

Trundle claimed a stunning first-half goal at Glanford Park before rescuing a point for a Swansea side reduced to 10 men when defender Izzy Iriekpen was sent off for a professional foul.

"It was great to get the second goal with my right foot for a change," said Trundle.

"To be fair, it was a great team effort. To go down to 10 men and get a point at Scunthorpe is a great result."